The Times They Are A Changin'

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Added: Sun. Dec 30, 2007 8:52pm
Posted in: Aging

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As we welcome in the New Year, lets hope 2008 will bring with it meaningful change in the way America deals with its aging population. Dylan said it first but it’s never been truer than now: “The times they are a-changin.” A social revolution is about to unfold and I couldn’t be happier about it. I’m tired of being marginalized and ignored by the thirty-something’s who think they run the world. It’s time we delivered their wake-up call. We owe it to ourselves, our parents, our children, our grandchildren and, yes, to the thirty-something’s who will soon become that which they fail to understand. We have the numbers, the votes and the money to change society for the better - but do we have the will?

The roots of ageism run as deep as racism and sexism. When you see someone walking toward you on the street what do you see? Sociologists say we all subconsciously acknowledge three characteristics - gender, race, and age. It's basic human instinct embedded eons ago to help protect and propagate our species. Observing gender, race and age is fine - discriminating on the basis of them is not.

While sexism and racism have been major social, legal and political issues for decades, the war against ageism is relatively new. The term wasn’t even coined until 1969. Like sexism and racism, ageism fuels hate and prejudice. Just as racism allows one race to view itself as superior to another, ageism allows younger people to view themselves as superior to their elders.

Close your eyes and visualize an “older” person. What do you see? Chances are you imagine someone that’s frail, slow, feeble-minded and crotchety. Generations ago most Americans would have visualized someone that’s wise and dignified. Age was a sign of respect- not ridicule. Sadly, we are no longer a society in which the old are honored. We’ve become a society in which the old are tolerated, ignored, isolated and warehoused.

Ageism not only influences the way we view the elderly but also how the elderly view themselves. It feeds and encourages a negative self-image. The stereotypes of ageism have been embraced and propagated by the media and embedded in our national psyche, making us afraid to grow old, afraid of what can be the best days of our lives.

Ageism can be as seemingly innocuous as an “over-the- hill” birthday card or an off-color joke about sexual impotence. It can be as tragic as discrimination in health care, substandard housing conditions or abuse in nursing homes. It’s seen in mandatory retirement ages, pension plan cutbacks, doctors who prescribe medicine before lifestyle changes and in the lack of older men and women on television and in movies. The faces we see on the screen should reflect those of the society we live in. Not even close. If alien beings are monitoring our mainstream media, they must believe very few of us live past 50.

It’s politically popular (and it’s ageism) to blame the impending age wave for a possible social security or health care crisis. It’s true, there are significant costs associated with an aging population- just as there are significant costs related to a youthful population – things like higher crime rates, unemployment, public education, drug abuse, and more. Every stage in our lifecycle presents unique challenges. It’s society’s responsibility to address them all fairly.

Like sexism and racism, ageism is rooted in fear and ignorance. It’s time both are overcome with education and confrontation. Just as Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus, it's time for aging America to refuse to give up its seat at society’s table. Ageism is a social malignancy that threatens the future of each and every one of us because age is a fate only the unfortunate escape.

If you’re looking for a New Year’s resolution- how about resolving to start Growing Bolder. Live the life you want. Chase the dreams you desire. You don’t have to stand on a soapbox and make a political statement. Living the life you want is the most powerful statement you can make. America no longer belongs to the young. Not only are there more older people - their are more healthy, financially secure and politically active older people. The times they are a changin’.